OU scoops top global awards for innovation and open education

The Open University (OU) is celebrating winning a clutch of top awards, both internationally and in the UK for its innovation and open education learning.

The OU was named winner in four categories in the highly-competitive 2016 Awards for Open Education Excellence, presenting accolades for excellence to websites, courses and projects across the world in the field of open education.

The awards reflect the excellence in innovation and learning across the OU. They were selected by the Institute of Open Education Awards Committee, populated by educators and open education advocates from around the world, which reviewed and selected the winners. Above all, the institute chose examples of sites, projects or resources “committed to increasing access to high quality education for everyone”.Professor Hazel Rymer, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching & Innovation said:

“These awards, presented in a highly-competitive arena are a huge triumph for The Open University and underline the strength and superiority of our open education courses and resources. The OU is leading the field as a provider of creative, open learning both in the UK and on a global stage. We are delighted to receive these awards as they illustrate the innovation and breadth of learning offered to all by the OU.”

In addition, the OU’s Badged Open Courses received an award by the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL), which recognises and celebrates projects, programmes and practices that promote lifelong learning in the UK’s HE sector. The OU was again recognised for its Badged Open Courses (BOC) project and its focus on developing academic skills relevant to Higher Education study, providing recognition for informal leaners and encouraging journeys into formal learning.